The game itself should be enough

Five days before its season opener, Boise State said it still had between 9,000 and 10,000 seats available for Saturday’s home game against Troy.

This in a stadium recently expanded to seat 36,000 because, well, there appeared to be demand for that many seats.

How can this be? Boise is not a Power 5 school, but of the Group of 5 schools, the Broncos are probably the closest thing to playing the big boys. And they’re actually better than some of the Power 5 teams. You would think the Bronco faithful would turn out in droves, no matter the opponent, just to watch their beloved boys whip up on somebody.

After all, BSU football is 196-38 over the last 19 seasons.

SO I asked around.

“Boise State never draws well over Labor Day weekend.”

OK, I understand people wanting to get out of town one last weekend before school gets into full swing. But it’s an afternoon game, and if you’re a true BSU fan, you can still hit the road after the game and enjoy most of the weekend — while celebrating the experience of a likely Bronco victory.

“No-name opponent.”

BSU’s opponent Saturday is Troy. Folks around here might think ... Troy, Idaho, or Troy, Mont., but those are high school teams. This Troy is in Alabama, plays in the Sun Belt along with the Broncos’ good friends at the University of Idaho.

But this Troy that’s on BSU’s schedule went 10-3 last year, and won its bowl game — something Boise State couldn’t do. One of Troy’s wins was a 34-13 triumph at Idaho early in the season.

So Troy should be pretty good — but Boise should still win big. So fans should get the best of both worlds.

A COUPLE of days ago, Boise State athletic director Curt Apsey sent out a letter to Bronco fans, urging them to fill the stadium.

“You, the fan, are a difference maker for us,” Apsey wrote. “Our team feeds off your energy, and you feed off the energy of our student-athletes. Simply put, an improved fan environment creates an even better home-field advantage. But we can’t build a home-field advantage without a packed Albertsons Stadium.”

They even added some features “to bring you the best fan experience we can offer” during the game, Apsey said.

Those include more in-game fireworks, and a live DJ playing music in the stadium.

We presume they’ve checked with the neighbors to see if they are OK with all the fireworks, because the Broncos can be an explosive bunch offensively.

Hopefully an errant spark doesn’t burn down the nearby Ram sports bar, or pelt some innocent soul on the Greenbelt.

If they awarded a concession stand at the stadium to JB’s in Meridian, and told them to feature that real thick bacon they’re famous for, that might help sell out the place.

Someone suggested Boise State open at home against the Vandals. That actually makes some sense, except Idaho won’t play at Boise unless Boise returns the trip to Moscow. And that ain’t happenin’.

Unless, perhaps, JB’s steps in with a care package of sorts.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.